Hydraulic driving apparatus for wells



NOV. 1, 1932. W: c BAHLEY 1,385,794

HYDRAULIC DRIVING APPARATUS FOR WELLS Filed May 10, 1930 s Sheets-Sheet 1 [/vu/v ra/Q lA/AL 752 C 5,414.15)

w. c. BAILEY 1,885,794-

HYDRAULIC DRIVING APPARATUS FOR WELLS 5 Sheets-Shee 2 Nov. 1, 1932.

Filed May 10, 1930 I I i VII/111115111111 [mu /V702 WALTER 6. BA/LEY NOV. 1, w c BA|LEY 1,885,794

HYDRAULIC DRIVING APPARATUS FOR WELLS Filed May 10, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 MB 68 a 22 .flyd 8 a5 26 Q; i 72 8 59 J I f/vug/v TORI WAL 75/2 6. 5/1140 Nov. 1, 1932.

w. c. BAILEY 1,885,794

HYDRAULIC DRIVING APPARATUS FOR WELLS Filed May 10,

19.30 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 A fro/ems X Patented Nov. 1, 1932 PAT WALTER C. BAILEY, OF NORWALK, CALIFORNIA OFFWE HYDRAULIC DRIVING APPARATUS FOR- WELLS Application filed May 10, 1930. Serial No. 451,300.

My invention relates to a driving apparatus for wells and more particularly to a hydraulic driving apparatus.

It is the present practice in the drilling of wells to employ gasoline engines, steam engines, or electric motors, driving the tools through various chains. This practice is undesirable because it is-expensive to maintain the apparatus in proper repair, because there is much waste in lubricating the chain drives and other parts of the apparatus, and because of necessity there are many moving parts exposed, thus making the operation of such apparatus extremely dangerous to the workers.

It is an object of my invention to provide a hydraulic driving apparatus for wells in which all of the moving parts, except those the movement of which is directly utilized, are covered and protected. Such a hydraulic apparatus has the additional advantages that it is efficiently lubricated, inexpensively maintained, and silently operated.

It is an object of my invention to provide a hydraulic driving apparatus for wells in which the entire hoisting and rotating equipment is relieved of the shocks and sudden strains such as are caused by the engaging of positive jaw clutches while the machinery now commonly employed in the drilling art is in motion.

In the drilling of oil wells the torque applied to the drilling tool varies with the formation being drilled and the weight of the drill pipe supported upon the drilling tool. This variation in the torque applied to the drilling tool causes in many instances twistoifs of the drill pipe necessitating lengthy shut-downs and fishing operations. Likewise, this variation in the torque on the cutting tool operates to shorten its life and make more frequentthe pulling up of the drill pipe, the exchange of drilling tools, and the return of the drill pipe in the well. It is desirable, to obviate these disadvantages, that the torque applied to the drilling tool should be maintained as nearly constant as possible and well within the safety factor.

It is an object of my invention to provide a driving apparatus for wells in which the torque applied to the drilling tool will be maintained constant.

In deep well drilling the weight of the drill pipe is so great that it is desirable to support only a small proportion of this weight upon the drilling tool. It is therefore necessary to support a large portion of the weight of the drill pipe from the surface of the ground in such a manner that the desired proportion of the weight of the drill pipe shall be supported by the drilling tool while it is in motion.

It is an object of my invention to provide a driving apparatus for oil wells in which any desired proportion of the weight of the drill pipe is supported from the surface of the ground.

Due to the fact that the factors which cause a change in the torque, applied to the drilling tool during drilling operations, such as a change in the formation being drilled and a change in the depth at which the drilling operation is being conducted, change so greatly and so frequently, it is desirable that the apparatus for driving the drilling tool should operate automatically to maintain constant the torque appliedto the drilling a tool.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a driving apparatus for wells in which the torque applied to the drilling tool is automatically maintained constant.

It is sometimes desirable that all of the power output of the prime mover should be directed to a slow rotation of the rotary table or drum, and it is sometimes desirable that all of the power output of the prime mover should be direced to a more rapid rotation of the rotary table or drum.

It is another object of my invention to provide a driving apparatus for wells adapted to drive a rotary table or a drum at various speeds from a slow rotation to a more rapid rotation.

It is the present practice to employ a band brake in combination with a brake drum to retard the lowering of the drill pipe and easing into the well. Because of the overheating of the brake drum and its consequent destruction, the wearing out of the brake band, or the failure of some part of provide a driving apparatus for oil wells which will act as a bandless brake in the lowering f the drill pipe into the well.

Further objects and advantages will be made evident in the following description in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View ofthe driving apparatus of my invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view taken as indicated by the arrow 2 of Fig. 1;

3 is a plan View of the apparatus of my invention;

Fig. 4 is a. dia rammatic view illustrating the path of the uid through the apparatus of my invention during automatic drilling operations using both pressure pumps;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of the path of the fluid through the apparatus of my invention during automatic drilling operation using one pressure pump;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of the use of the apparatus of my invention as a brake in the lowering of the drill pipe in the well;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of the use of the apparatusof my invention to deliver to the drum transmissions the maximum power;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of the use of the apparatus of my invention to rotate the drum transmissions at a medium speed; and,

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of the use of the apparatus of my invention to operate one drum transmission at a maximum speed for light loads.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 3, the numeral 11 indicates an electric motor with a driven shaft 12 extending from either end. Connected to each of the driven shafts 12 by a suitable coupling 13 is a shaft 14 of a driven gear 15 of a gear pump. As illustrated in Fig. 3, my apparatus includes as a pumping or fluid supply means a left gear pump 16 and a right gear pump 17. As best shown in Fig. 1, each of the gear pumps 16 'and 17 includes an idle gear 18 adapted to mesh with the driven gear 15 and keyed to a shaft 19. The shafts 14 and 19 of each gear pump 16 and 17 are supported in a housing 20 having an internal chamber-21 in which the driven gear '15 and the idler gear 18 are adapted to rotate with a slight clearance at their peripheries and sides. As best illustrated in Fig. 1-,eacli0f the housings 20 is formed to provide an upper and lower auxiliary chamber 22 and 23, respectively on the common tangent of the pitch circles of the two gears 15 and 18 and communicating with the internal cham ber 21. Each of the housings 20 is provided with suitable packing members 24 and end plates 25 adjacent to the shafts 14 and 19 to make the chamber 21 fluid-tight.-

Attached to the outer side of each of the housings 20 and communicating with the upper auxiliary chamber 22 is a discharge pipe or pressure pipe 26. 'Similarly attachedto the outer side of each of the housings 20 and communicating with the lower auxiliary chamber 23 is an intake or suction pipe 27. Between the drum transmissions 31 and 32 is positioned a drum 28 which is fixedly attached to an axial shaft 29 extending beyond the ends thereof. To each of the ends of the shaft 29 is non-rotatably keyed a driving gear 30 of a fiuid driven engine means or transmission means. As illustrated in Fig. 3, my apparatus includes as an engine means or transmission means a left and a right fluid driven drum engine or transmission 31 and 32 respectively. Each of the drum transmissions includes an idle gear 33 adapted to mesh with the driving gear 30 and keyed to an axial shaft 34. The shaft 29 and the shafts 34 are mounted in a housing 35 which provides an internal chamber 36 in which the driving gear 30 and the idle gear 33 are adapted to rotate with but slight clearance at their peripheries and sides. Each of the housings 35 is provided with a suitable packing member 37 adjacent to the shaft 29 and suitable end plates 38 adjacent to the shafts 34 to make the internal chamber 36 fluid-tight. Formed in each of the housings 35, on the commontangent to the pitch circles of the driving gear 30 and the idle gear 33, are upper and lower auxiliary chamhers 39 and 40, respectively, communicating with the internal chamber 36. Connected to the outer side of each of the housings 35 and communicating with the upper auxiliary chamber 39 is the pressure pipe 26. Likewise, connected to the outer side of each of the housings 35 and communicating with the lower auxiliary chamber 40, is the suction pipe Positioned between the drum transmissions 31 and 32 as a second fluid driven engine or transmission means is a rotary table engine or transmission 41. The rotary table transmission 41 includes a housing 42 in which a 'driven gear and an idle gear are adapted to be mounted and rotated in the same manner as in the drum transmissions previously described. The driven gear is non-rotatably keyed to one end of a rotary drive shaft 43, to the other end of which a rotary table 44 is operatively associated by gears so that rotation of the rotary drive shaft 43 causes the rotary table 44 to rotate.

The housing 42 is provided with upper and lower auxiliary chambers, as are the housings of the drum transmissions 31 and 32 previously described. Attached to one side of the housing 42 and communicating with the upper auxiliary chamber is a pressure pipe 46, and connected to the same side of the housing 42 and communicating with the lower auxiliary chamber is an outlet or suction pipe 47. The pressure pipe 46 is connected to an auxiliary pressure pipe 48, to either end of which is connected one of the discharge pipes 26 from the left pressure pump 16 or the right pressure pump 17. The suction pipe 47 is connected to an auxiliary suction pipe 49, either end of which is connected to one of the suction pipes 27 of the left pressure pump 16 or the right pressure pump 17. Positioned in a depression 51 formed in the top of the housings 35 of the left and right drum transmissions 31 and 32 are housings 52 of left and right fluid driven line shaftengines or transmissions 53 and 54, the housings 52 being held in place by bands 52a passing over each of them and anchored at the base of the housings 3i and 32. Each of the line shaft transmissions 53 and 54 includes a driven gear 55 and an idle gear 56 adapted to mesh with each other and to rotate with slight clearance at their peripheries and sides in an internal chamber 57 formed in each of the housings 52. There is likewise formed in each of the housings 52 upper and lower auxiliary chambers 58 and 59 respectively. The auxiliary chambers 58 and 59 are formed upon the common tangent of the pitch circles of the driven gear 55 and the idle gear 56 and communicate with the chamber 57. The idle gear 56 is supported upon a. shaft 59a which is journaled in the housing 52. The two driven gears 55 of the line shaft transmissions 53 and 54 are nonrotatably keyed near the opposite ends of .1 common line shaft 60. Non-rotatably secured to the line shaft 60 between the left line shaft transmission 53 and the right line shaft transmission 54 is a spool 61. The line shaft 60 extends beyond each of the line shaft, transmissions 53 and 54 and has non-rotatably mounted on either end thereof auxiliar spools'62.

onnected to the housing 52 and communicating with the upper auxiliary chamber 58 of the left line shaft transmission 53 is a supply pipe 63. Similarly attached to the same side of the housing 52 and connnunicating with the lower auxiliary chamber 59 of the left line shaft transmission is an outlet pipe 64. In a like manner there is associated with the right line shaft transmission 54 a supply pipe and an outlet pipe 66. Each of the supply pipes 63 and 65 is connected by apipe 67 to the auxiliary supply pipe 48, and each of the outlet pipes 64 and 66 is connected by a pipe 68 to the auxiliary suction pipe 49.

Connecting the pressure pipes 26 of the left and right pressure pumps 16 and 17 is a pipe 69 which is connected intermediate its ends by a pipe 70 to the auxiliary pressure pipe 48 between its connection to the pressure pipe- 26 of the left pressure pump 16 and its connection to the pipe 67.

Each of the pressure pumps 16 and 17 is provided with a shunt pipe 71 and 7 2 respectively connecting the pressure pipe 26 and the suction pipe 27 of its respective pressure pump and adjacent thereto. A compounding pipe 73 connects the upper auxiliary chamber 22 of the right pressure pump 17 to the lower auxiliary chamber 23 of the left pressure pump 16. sions 31 and 32 are also provided with shunt pipes 74 and 75, each of which connects the pressure pipe and discharge pipe of one of the drum transmissions.

$0 The left and right drum transmis- Connecting the auxiliary pressure pipe 48, 7

between its connection to the pressure pipe 26 associated with the right pressure pump 17 and its connection to the pipe 46, and the auxiliary suction pipe 49, between its connection to the suction pipe 27 associated with the right pressure pump 17 and its connection to the pipe 68, is a bypass pipe 76 having a valve 77 therein. A second by-pass pipe 78 having a valve 79 therein connects the auxiliary pressure pipe 48, between its connection to the pressure pipe 26 associated with the left pressure pump 16 and its connection to the pipe 79, with the auxiliary suction pipe 49, between its connection with the suction pipe 27 associated with the left pressure pump 16 and itsconnection with the pipe 47.

The valves 77 and 79 may be of any type adapted to effect a closure of the pipe with which they are associated, the type herein illustrated being of that classification which requires manual operation to effect a decrease or cessation of the passage of fluid therethrough. Valves of this nature are provided in the shunt lines 71 and 72 as indicated by the numerals 80 and 81 respectively. A similar valve 82 is provided in the compounding pipe 73. Valves 83 and 84 are provided in the pressure pipes 26 of the pressure pumps 16 and 17 respectively between their conneci vided with a similar valve 86 and 87 respecti vely. v

The suction pipe 27 is provided with one valve 88 between its connection to the shunt pipe and its connection to the auxiliary suction pipe 49, and it is provided with a sec- 0nd valve 89 between its connection to the pipe 49 and its connection to the shunt p pe 72 of'the right pressure pump 27. Likewlse, the other of the suction pipes 27 is provided with a valve 90 between its connection to the shunt pipe 74 of the left drum transmission 31 and its connection to the auxiliary suction pipe 49, and it is provided with a second valve 91 between its connection to the pipe 49 and its connection with the shunt pipe 71 of the left pressure pump 16.

Interposed in the auxiliary pressure pipe 48 between its connection to the by-pass pipe 76 and the pressure pipe 46 is a valve 92.; The pipe 46 is provided with a valve 93 adjacent to its connection with the auxiliary pressure pipe 48. The pipe 46 is also provided with an automatic regulating valve 94. The automatic regulating valves used in my apparatus may be of any type which operates at a predetermined pressure to diminish and stop or increase the flow of fluid through its associated pipe. The regulating valve 94 herein illustrated includes a pipe 95 connected to the pressure pipe 46 and leading fluid therefrom to the reverse side of a diaphragm 96. The diaphragm 96 is so designed and associated with a plunger that at a predetermined pressure the movement of the diaphragm 96 operates the plunger to increase or diminish or shut ofl entirely the flow of fluid through the pipe 46. A similar automatic regulating valve 97 is connected in the pipe 70. The pipe is also provided with a valve 98 between the automatic regulating valve 97 and the connection of the pipe 70 to the auxiliary pressure pipe-48. Between its connection to the auxiliary pressure pipe 48 and its connection to the supply pipes 63 and 65 of the left and right line shaft transmissions 53 and 54, a valve 99 is connected in the pipe 67. Two similar valves 100 and 101 are connected in the pipe 69, one between its connection to the pressure pipe 26 of the right pressure pump 17 and its connection to the pipe 70, and the second between its connection to the pipe 70 an its connection to the pressure pipe 26 of the left pressure pump 16.

Connected to the auxiliary pressure pipe 48 between its connection to the left pressure pipe 26 and its connection to the pipe 78, and between its connection to the right pressure pipe 26 and its connection to the pipe 76 are two fluid reservoirs 102 and 103, respectively. As best illustrated in Fig. 1 these fluid reservoirs extend upwardly from the pipe 48 and are adapted to be partially filled with fluid so that an air chamber 104 is provided at the top pf each of the reservoirs. Connected to the top of each of the fluid reservoirs 102 and 103 is a supply pipe 105 having a valve 106 adjacent to the reservoir. Two similar fluid reservoirs 107 and 108 are connected to the auxiliary suction pipe 49 between its connectionto the left suction pipe 27 and the pipe 78 and its conenction to the ri ht suction pipe 27 and the pipe 76. he fluid reservoirs 107 and 108 are identical with the fluid reservoirs 102 and 103 and are likewise each provided with an air chamber 104.

The left pressure pipe 26, between its connection to the shunt pipe 71 and its connection to the auxiliary pressure pipe 48 is connected to the left suction pipe 27 by a safety valve 115. A second safety valve 116 connects the right pressure pipe 26 and the rlght suction pipe 27, so that if either of the gear pumps 16 or 17 is operated with the valves in the system closed; the safety valves 115 and 116 will open, thus preventing the destruction of the pipe of the apparatus.

Having described the apparatus of my invention, I will now describe its operation.

The pressure regulating valves being adjusted to operate at the desired pressure, and all other valves in the apparatus being open, fluid is provided to the apparatus through the supply pipes 105 of the fluid reservoirs 102 and 103 and 107 and 108. Although many fluids may be employed in the appa-. ratus of my invention, I prefer to use a light lubricant saturated with graphite. When all of the pipes and housings of my apparatus have been filled with oil and the reservoirs filled so that the air chamber 104, occupying approximately one-third of the fluid reservoir, is present in each of the reservoirs, the valves 106 interposed between the fluid reservoirs and the supply source are shut off. For the purpose of illustrating diagrammatically the positions of the various valves v of my apparatus, I have employed two equilateral triangles whose apices join upon and whose axes coincide with the pipe in which the valve is interposed to indicate a closed valve, and I have employed two lines intersecting on the pipe in which the valve is interposed to indicate an open valve.

To operate the apparatus of my invention as an automatic drilling apparatus, it is necessary to close the valves 80, 81, 86, and 87 in the shunt lines of the pressure pumps and drum transmissions. The valves 83 and 114, and 84 and in the pressure pipes 26 are opened and the valves 88 and 89 and and 91 in the suction pipes are likewise opened. The valves 92 and 93 are opened to permit the passage of fluid to the rotary table transmission 41 and the valve 99 is closed to prevent the passage of fluid to the line shaft transmissions 53 and 54. The valves 100, 101, and 98 are likewise closed, as are the valves 77 and 7 9 in the by-pass pipes 76 and 78.

If now the motor 11 is energized and caused to rotate, the rotation of the shafts 12 will cause the rotation of the connected shafts 14. This rotation of the shafts 14 causes therotation of the driven gear 15 and idle gear 18 of each of the pressure pumps 16 and 17. If the gears 15 and 18are caused to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrows 110 in Fig. 1, fluid surrounding the gears is driven under pressure into the upper auxiliary chamber 22 of each of the gear pumps. This fluid under pressure is driven through each of the pressure pipes 26 to the upper auxiliary chamber 39 of each of the drum transmissions 31 and 32. The fluid under pressure passes from the upperauxiliary chamber 39 around the driven gear 30 and idle gear 33, causing them to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrows 111 in Fig. 1. After passing around the gears 30 and 33, the fluid is discharged from the lower auxiliary chamber 40' through the suction pipes 27 and returned to the lowerauxiliary chamber 23 of each of the pressure pumps 16 and 17. j

The valves 92 and 93 being open, some of the fluid under pressure passing through the pressure pipes 26 is diverted through the auxiliary pressure pipe 48 and carried by the pipe 46 to the upper auxiliary chamber of the rotary table transmission 41. The fluid under pressure passes around the driven and idle gears of the rotary table transmission 41 and is discharged from the lower auxiliary chamber of housing 42 through the pipe 47 to the auxiliary suction pipe 49, from which it is discharged into the two suction pipes 27 and carried back to the pressure pumps 16 and 17. The rotation of the driven gear of the rotary table transmission 41 causes rotation'of therotary drive shaft 43 and the rotation of the associated rotary table 44. Likewise, the rotation of the driven gear 30 of each of the drum transmissions 31 and 32 causes the rotation of the associated shaft 29 and drum 28 mounted thereon. If a cable be attached to a drill pipe in the well and passed over an overhead pulley and wrapped under and around the drum 28, the tendency of the drum to rotate with the driven gears 30 of the drum transmissions 31 and 32 in a direction indicated by the arrow 111 of Fig. 1 will cause a portion of the weight of the drill pipe to be carried by the drum 28 and removed from the drilling tool at the bottom of the well. pressure pipes 26, and the valve 93 in the pressure pipe 46, are so adjusted relative to each other that the desired amount of fluid under pressure is delivered to the drum transmissions 31 and 32 so that the drum 28 under The valves 114 and 85 in the table transmission causes the drill to operate with less speed, and likewise operates to increase the fluid under pressure delivered to each of the drum transmissions 31 and 32. This increase in the fluid under pressure delivered to the drum trans1nissions increases the tendency of the drum 28 to rotate forwardly and thus increases the proportion of the weight of the drill pipe which is lifted by the drum 28. This increase in the proportion of weight of the drill pipe lifted by the drum 28 diminishes the weight supported upon the drilling tool at the bottom of the well, and consequently diminishes the torque upon the tool. It should thus be apparent that when for any reason, such as the striking of a hard formation, the torque upon the drilling tool is increased, the rotary table is caused to rotate with less speed, and the drum 28 is caused to lift a greater proportion of the weight of the drill pipe so that the torque upon the drilling tool is very quickly reduced to normal.

Likewise, when tliedrilling tool is sub- 3 jected to a lesser torque than normal for any reason, such as the striking of a soft formation, the regulating Valve 94, by virtue of its previous adjustment, will open to a wider extent, permitting a greater amount of fluid under pressure to be delivered to the rotary transmission 41, thus causinga more speedy rotation of the rotary table 44. This in crease in the fluid under pressure delivered to the rotary transmission 41 causes a corresponding diminution of the-amount of fluid under pressure delivered to the drum transmissions 31 and 32, so that the drum 28 lifts a lesser proportion than normal of the weight of the drill pipe. The consequence of the. decrease of the proportion of the weight of the drill pipe borne by the drum 'is that a greater proportion of such weight is supported upon the drilling tool. Thus the lessening of the torque upon the drilling tool below the normal torque operates to cause the rotary table to rotate more speedily and to cause the .drum to support a lesser proportion of the Weight of the drill pipe so that the torque upon the drilling tool is very quickly returned to normal. Because of the fact that all of the pressure pipes connecting to the rotary table transmission and drum transmissions are connected to each other, any variation in the torque applied to the drilling tool operates instantaneously to cause a readjustment of the amounts of fluid delivered to the rotary table transmissions and the drum transmissions, with the immetool is returned to normal. Should the torque upon the'drilling tool be very great, the amount of fluid under pressure delivered to the drum transmissions will be sufiicient to cause them to rotate in a forward direction and thus actually lift the drill pipe and the drilling tool and free it from the obstrucaccomplish this result, it may be effected by the adjustment of the valves as indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 5. The valve 81 in the shunt pipe 72 of the right pressure pump 17 is open and the valve 84 is closed. The valve 85 interposed in the pressure pipe 26 is likewise closed. The valve 89 in the suction pipe 27 of the right pressure pump 17, and the valve 92 of the auxiliary supply pipe 48 are also closed. The valve 114 is closed and the valve 98 in the pipe is open. The valves 100 and, 101 in the pipe '69 connecting the supply pipe of the left and right pressure pumps 16 and 17 are open. By this adjustment of the valves fluid under pressure from the left pressure pump 16 passes through the associated pressure pipe 26 to the auxiliary pressure pipe 48. Fluid passes from the auxiliary pressure pipe 48 through the pipe 7 0 to the pipe 69'. From the pipe 69 the fluid is conveyed by the pressure pipes 26 to both the left and right drum transmissions 31 and 32. The discharge from the left drum trans mission 31 is conveyed through the suction pipe 27 to the left pressurepump 16'. The

fluid from the right drum. transmission 32 1s conveyed by the suction pipe 27 to the auxiliary suction pipe 49 and by it to the suction pipe 27 of the left pressure pump 16.

Some of the fluid under pressure in the auxili'ary pressure pipe 48 is conveyed through the pipe 46 to the rotary table transmission 41. This fluid is discharged from therotary table transmission through the pipe 47 to the auxiliary suction pipe 49 from which it is conveyed by the left suction pipe 27 to the left pressure pump 16.

A valve 120 associated with the pipe 95 whichlis connected to the automatic regulating valve 94 being closed so that the regulat ing valve 94 is inoperative, the automatic regulating valve 97 in the pipe 7 O is adjusted so that the desired amount of fluid under pressure is conveyed through the pipe 70, the pipe 69, and the pressure pipe 26 to the drum transmissions 31 and 32. Shouldthe torque required to turn'the drilling tool increase to greater than normal, the automatic regulating valve 97 will operate to permit a greater quantity of fluid under pressure to pass through the pipe 70 and thus to the drum transmissions 31 and 32. Thiswill operate to diminish the quantity of fluid under pressure being conveyed through the pipes 48 and 46 to the rotary table transmission and will also operate to cause the drum 28 to lift a greater proportion of the Weight of the drill pipe so that the torque tending to turn the bit will be reduced to normal.

Should the torque required to turn the bit diminish below normal, the regulating valve 97 will operate to diminish the quantity of fluid under pressure passing through the pipe 70 and pipes 69 and 26 to the drum transmissions 31 and 32 so that the drum 28 will lift a lesser proportion of the weight of the drill pipe. This diminution of the quantity of the fluid under pressure passing through the pipe 70 operates to increase the quantity of the fluid under pressure passing through the auxiliary pressure pipe 48 and the pipe 46 to the rotary table transmission 41, with the result that the rotary table 44 is revolved with greater speed. The consequence of a more rapid turning of the rotating table 44 and the support of a greater proportion of the weight of the drill pipe upon the drilling tool is to increase the torque applied to the drilling tool to normal.

As has been previously pointed out, should the drilling tool strike an obstruction so that the torque required to turn the drilling tool is so great that there is a possibility of damaging the tool or the drill pipe, the quantity of fluid under pressure permitted by the regu1at ing valve 97 to pass to the drum transmissions 31 and 32 will be so great that the drum 28 willnot only cease to rotate in a reverse direction, but will-actually rotate in a forward direction and lift the drill pipe and the drilling tool from the obstruction.

The apparatus of my invention may be used as a brake for the lowering of any weight such as the drill pipe from the drum 28. To accomplish this the. valves 114 and 85 of the pressure pipe 26 are closed, and

the valves 88 and 90 of the suction pipe 27' are closed, as illustrated in Fig. 6. If now it be desired to lower any weight suspended from the drum28, with the drum 28 acting as a brake, it is necessary only to (open the valves 86 and 87 of the shunt pipes 74 and 75 a slight extent. This permits the passage of a small amount of compressed fluid from the upper auxiliary cha-mber 39 through the shunt pipe to the lower auxiliary chamber 40 of each'of the drum transmissions 31 and 32, as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 6. By opening the one or the other or both of the valves 86 and 87, the desired speed of rotation of the gears, 30 and 33 will be permitted. By the closing of either or both of the valves 86 and 87 the rotation of the gears 30 and 33 will be restricted until the desired braking action results. Should it be desired only to close the valves 86 and 87 of the shunt and 32 acts as a pressure pump and forces fluid under pressure through the pressure pipe 26 and the pipe 46 to the rotary table transmission 41, from which it is conveyed by the pipe 47 and the suction pipes 27 back to the drum transmissions 31 and 32.

If it is desired to operate the line shaft transmission 53, it is necessary only to open the valve 99 in the pipe 67 and fluid under,

pressure will be conveyed from the auxiliary pressure pipe 48 to the line shaft transmission 53 from which it will be conveyed by the pipe 68 and auxiliary suction pipe 49 back to the suction pipes 27. It should be apparent that the opening of both the valve 99 and the valve 93 will cause the operation of both the line shaft transmission 53 and the rotary table transmission 41, and the opening of either one of the valves alone will cause the operation of either one of the transmissions without the other. It is thus possible by the apparatus of my invention to utilize the energy provided by the lowering of a weight such as a drill pipe from the drum 28 to drive either the rotary table transmission -or the line shaft transmission, or both of them.

Should it be desired to use the apparatus of my invention to secure the maximum power to turn the drum 28, it is necessary to move the various valves into the positions indicated in F ig. 7. The valves 80 and 81 of the shunt pipes 71 and 72 are closed, and the valves 83 and 114 of the left pressure pipe 26 are open. Likewise, the valves 92 and 85 are open, and the valve 84 is closed so that fluid under pressure may pass from the left pressure pipe 26 through the auxiliary pressure pipe 48 to the right pressure pipe 26 to be'conveyed to the right drum transmission 32. The valves 86 and 87 of the shunt pipes 74 and 75 are closed and the valves 88 and 89 are open to permitthe right suction pipe 27 to convey the fluid discharge from the right drum transmission-32 to the right pressure pump 17. Likewise, the valve 90 is open andthe valve 91 is closed so that the fluid discharged from the left drum transmission 31 is conveyed through the left suction pipe 27 and the auxiliarysuction pipe 49 to the right suction pipe 27, and thus to the right pressure pump 17. The valve 82 in the compounding pipe 73 is open so that fluid under pressure is conveyed from the right pressure pump 17 through the compounding pipe 73 to the left pressure pump 16.

From the left pressure pump the fluid under a greater pressure is conveyed through the pressure pipe 26 to the right drum transmission 32. Likewise, the fluid under pressure from the left pressure pump 16 is con veyed from the right pressure pipe 26 through the auxiliary pressure pipe 48 to the left pressure pipe 26, and thus to the left drum transmission 31. The fluid discharge from the left drum transmission 31 is conveyed through the left suction pipe 27 and the auxiliary suction pipe 49 to the right suction pipe 27 where it is conveyed with the fluid discharge from the right drum transmission 32 t0 the right pressure pump 17. Thus by compounding the pressures of the two pressure pumps 16 and 17, fluid under a greater pressure is provided to the drum transmissions and a maximum power is secured. Although it is not illustrated in Fig. 7, it is possible to operate the rotary table transmission 41 or the line shaft transmission 53, or both of them at the same time that the drum transmissions 31 and 32 are operated by a proper manipulation of the various valves, as hereinbefore described.

In Fig. 8 is illustrated the position of the various valves for securing a medium speed of the drum 28. As indicated in this figure, the valve 82 of the compounding pipe 73 is closed so that each of the pressure pumps 16 and 17 is operated independentlyof the other, Likewise, the valves 80, 81, 86, and 87 of the shunt pipes are closed. The valves 84 and 85 of the right pressure pipe 26 are open, as are the valves 83 and 114 of the left pressure pipe 26. The valves 88 and 89 of the right suction pipe 27 and the valves 90 and 91 of the left suction pipe 27 are open. The valve 92 in the auxiliary pressure pipe 48 is open. With this arrangement of the various valves, the fluid under pressure from the left pressure pump 16-is conveyed to the left drum transmission 31 and the fluid discharged from this drum transmission is conveyed by the suction pipe 27 back to the left pressure pump 16. Likewise, the fluid under pressure from the right pressure pump 17 is conveyed through the right pressure pipe 26 to the right drum transmission 32, and the fluid discharged from this drum transmission is conveyed by the right suction pipe 27 back to the right pressure pump 17. The auxiliary pressure pipe 48 connecting the right and left pressure pipes 27, and the auxiliary pipe 49 connecting the right andleft suction pipes 27 operate to cause an equality of pressure in the respective pipes and respective systems.

In Fig. 9 is illustrated another arrangement of the various valves to effectuate a more eflicient use of the apparatus of my invention for operating a drum 28 for light loads. As therein illustrated, the valve 84 in the right pressure pipe 26 and the valve 91 in the auxiliary pressure pipe 48 are open, andthe valves 83 and 114 of the left pressure pipe 26 are open. The valves 90 and 91 of the left suction pipe 27 are open, and the valve 87 of the shunt pipe 75 of the right drum transmission 32 is open. All of the remaining valves being closed, the fluid under pressure is conveyed, from the right pressure pump 17 through the right pressure pipe 26 and the auxiliary pressure pipe 48 to the left pressure pipe 26 where it is conveyed to gether with the fluid under pressure from the left pressure pump 16 to the left drum transmission 31. The fluid discharge from the left drum transmission is conveyed through the left suction pipe 27 and the auxiliary suction pipe 49 and right suction pipe 27 to the right pressure pump 17 and the left pressure pump 16. The valve 87 in the shunt pipe 7 connected to the right drum transmission 32 permits the rotation of the gears and 33 as the drum 28 is rotated. For lifting light loads with the drum 28 whi h ld not utilize the full capacity of both drum transmissions 31 and 32, it will be found that this use of the apparatus of my invention is more eflicient.

Although it is not herein particularly described, it is possible by an arrangement of the valves as previously described to use this combination of the pressure pumps to operate the drum transmission, the rotary table transmission, or the line shaft transmissions, or any of them, or all of them simultaneously.

From the foregoing description of the apparatus of my invention and the description of its operation it is apparent that I have I provided a hydraulic driving apparatus for wells in which all of the moving parts, except those the movement of which is directly utilized, are covered and protected. It is i I likewise apparent that I have provided a driving apparatus for wells in which the torque applied to a drilling tool is automatically maintained constant and at a predetermined value, and in which the apparatus is adapted to drive a rotary table or a drum or a line shaft at any variation of speed that may be desired. I

As was pointed out in the explanation of the use of my invention as illustrated in Fig.

6, the apparatus of my invention is adapted to act asa bandless brake in the lowering of a weight, such as a drill pipe, from the drum and to use the energy provided by the lowering weight to drive the rotary table. A

band brake may 'be provided for emergency use but it is not necessary to my apparatus for ordinary conditions.

While the apparatus and the various arrangements of the valves associated therewith hereinbefore illustrated and described are' fullycapable of performing all of the objects primarily stated, I do not wish to be restricted to these embodiments, for there are other embodiments of my invention likewise capable of performing these objects which come within the scope of the claims which follow.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a hydraulic driving apparatus for wells, the combination of: pumping means for providing fluid under pressure; a fluid operated rotary table transmission connected to said pumping means for driving a rotary table; two fluid operated drum transmissions connected to said pumping means, to each other, and to said rotary table transmission for rotating a drum; a fluid operated line shaft transmission connected to said pumping means, to said rotary table transmission, and to said drum transmissions for driving a line shaft; and valves so associated with said connections between said transmissions and said connections between each of said transmissions and said pumping means that the fluid from said pumping-means operatesany one of said transmissions alone or with any one or two or all of the other of said transmissions or said drum transmissions and said rotary table transmission together so that the torque output of said drum trans,- missions varies directly with the load on said rotary table'transmission.

2. In a hydraulic driving apparatus for wells, the' combination of: two pumping means connected to each other for providing fluid under pressure; a fluid operated rotary table transmission connected to said pumping means for driving a rotary table; two fluid operated drum transmissions connected to said pumping means, to each other, and to said rotary table transmission for rotating a drum; a fluid operated line shaft transmission connected to, said pumping means, to said rotary table transmission, and to said drum transmissions for driving a line shaft; and valves so associated with said connections between said transmissions, said connections between said pumping means, and said connections between each of said transmissions and said pumping means, that the fluid under pressure from one of said pumping means, both of said pumping means in parallel, or

both of said pumping means compounded,

missions varies directly with the load on said a rotary table transmission.

3. In a hydraulic driving apparatus 'for wells, the combination of: two pumping means connected to each other for providing fluid under pressure; a fluid operated rotary table transmission connected to saidpumpin means for driving a rotary table; twoflui operated drum transmissions connected to said pumping means, to each other, and to said rotary table transmission for rotating a drum; a fluid operated line shaft transmission connected to said pumping means, to said rotary table transmission, and to said drum transmissions for driving a line shaft; valves interposed in said connections between said transmissions, said connections between said pumping means, and said connections between each of said transmissions and each of said pumping means, said valves being adapted for adjustment so that the fluid under pressure from one pumping means or both pumping means in parallel or both pumping means compounded operates any number of said transmissions simultaneously; and a regulating valve associated with said connections between said drum transmissions and said rotary table transmission adapted to vary the volume of fluid. under pressure conveyed to the said drum transmissions in proportion to the torque applied to the said rotary table by the said rotary table transmission.

4. In a hydraulic driving apparatus for wells, the combination of: two gear pumps for providing fluidunder pressure; a connection between said gear pumps; a fluid operated rotary table transmission connected to both of said gear pumps for driving a rotary table; two fluid operated drum transmissions, each of which is connected to both of said gear pumps, and to each other and to said rotary transmissions; two fluid operated line shaft transmissions connected to both 'of said gear pumps, to each other, and to both of said drum transmissions for driving a line shaft; 3 series of valves interposed in the said connections between said gear pumps and said connections between said gear pumps and said transmission adapted for manipulation for the passage of fluid under pressure from 1 either one of said gear pumps, or both of said gear pumps in parallel or compounded; a second series of valves interposed in the said connections between said gear. pumps and said transmissions and in the said connections between the said transmissions adapted for manipulation for the passage of fluid under pressurue to any combination of said transmissions simultaneously; and an automatic regulating valve for automatically increasing the passage of fluid under pressure to said drum transmissions in proportion to the increase in the resistance to rotation of said rotary table.

5. In a hydraulic driving apparatus for wells, the combination of: two pumping means connected to each other for providing fluid under pressure; a fluid operated rotary table transmission connected to said pumping means for driving a rotary table; two fluid operated drum transmissions connected to said pumping means, to each other, and to said rotary table transmission for rotating a drum; a fluid operated line shaft transmission connected to said pumping means, to said rotary table transmission, and to said drum transmissions for driving a line shaft; and means so associated with said connections between said transmissions, said connections between said pumping-means, and said connections between each of said transmissions and said pumping means, that the fluid under pressure from one of said pumping means, both of said pumping means in parallel, or both of said pumping means compounded, operates any one of said transmissions alone, or with one, or two, or all of the other of said transmissions, or said drum transmissions and said rotary table transmission together so that the output of said drum transmissions Varies directly with the load on said rotary table transmission.

6. In a hydraulic driving apparatus forwells, the combination of: two pumping means connected to each other for providing fluid under pressure; a fluid operated rotary table transmission connected to said pumping means for driving a rotary table; two fluid operated drum transmissions connected to said pumping means, to each other, and to said rotary table transmission for rotating a drum; a fluid operated line shaft transmission connected to said pumping means, to said rotary table transmission, and to said drum transmissions for driving a line shaft; and valve means so associated with said connections between said transmissions, said connections between said pumping means, and

said connections between each of said transtransmissions Varies directly with the load on said rotary table transmission.

7. In a hydraulic driving apparatus for wells, the combination of: two pumping .means connected to each other for providing fluid under pressure; a fluid operated rotary table transmission connected to said pumping means for driving arotary table; two fluid operated drum transmissions connected to said pumping means, to each other, and to said rotary table transmission for rotating a drum; a fluid operated line shaft transmission connected to. said pumpingmeans, to said rotary table transmission, and to said drum transmissions for driving a line shaft; and valveoperative means so associated with said connections between said transmissions, said connections between said pumping means, and said connections betransmission.

8. In a hydraulic driving apparatus for wells, the combination of: two pumping means connected to each other for providing fluid under pressure; a fluid operated rotary table transmission connected to said pumping means for driving a rotary table; two fluid operated drum transmissions connected to said pumping means, to each other, and to said rotary table transmission for rotating. a drum; a fluid operated line shaft transmission connected to said pumping means, to said rotary table transmission, and to said drum transmissions for driving a line shaft; valve means interposed in said connections between said transmissions, said connections between said pumping means,'and said connections between each of said transmissions and each of said pumping means, said valve means being adapted for adjustment so that the fluid under pressure from one pumping means of both pumping means in parallel or both pumping means compounded operates any number of said transmissions simultaneously; and a regulating valve associated with said connections between said drum transmissions and said rotary table transmission adapted to varythe volume of fluid under pressure conveyed to the said drum transmissions in proportion to the torque applied to the said rotary table by the said rotary table transmission.

9. In a hydraulic driving apparatus for wells, the combination of: two pumping means connected to each other for providing fluid under pressure; a fluid operated rotary tabletransmission connected to said pumping means for driving a rotary table; two fluid operated drum transmissions connected to said pumping means, to each other, and to said rotary table transmission for rotating a drum; a fluid operated line shaft transmis sion connected to said pumping means, to said rotary table transmission, and to said drum transmissions for driving a line shaft; valve means interposed in said connections between said transmissions, said connections between said pumping means, and said connections between each of said transmissions and each of said pumping means, said valve imeans being adapted for adjustment so that the fluid under pressure from one pumping means or both pumping means in parallel or 65 both pumping means compounded operates any number of said transmissions simultaneously; and valve regulating meansassociated with said connections between said drum transmissions and said rotary table transmission adapted to vary the x'olume of fluid under pressure conveyed to the said drum transmissions in proportion to the torque applied to the said rotary table by the said rotary table transmission.

10. In a hydraulic driving apparatus for wells, the combination of: two pumping means connected to each other for providing fluid under pressure; a fluid operated rotary table transmission connected to said pumping means for driving a rotary table; two fluid operated drum transmissions connected to said pumping means to each other, and to said rotary table transmission for rotating a drum; a fluid operated line shaft transmission connected to said pumping means, to

said rotary table transmission, and to said drum transmissions for driving a line shaft; valve operative means interposed in said connections between said transmissions, said connections between said pumping means, and said connections between each of said transmissions and each of said pumping means, said valve operative means being adapted for adjustment so that the fluid under pressure from one pumping means or both pumping means in parallel or both pumping means compounded operates any number of said transmissions simultaneously; and regulating means associated with said connections between said drum transmissions and said rotary table transmission adapted to vary the volume of fluid under pressure conveyed to the said drum transmissions in proportion to the torque applied to the said rotary table by the said rotary table transmission.

11. In a hydraulic driving apparatus for wells, the combination of: two pumping means connected to each other for providing fluid under pressure; a fluid operated rotary table transmission connected to said pumping means for driving a rotary table; two fluid operated drum transmissions connected to said pumping means, to each other, and to said rotary table transmission for rotating a drum; a fluid operated line shaft transmission connected to said pumping means, to said rotary table transmissimi, and to said drum transmissions for driving a line shaft; valves interposed in said connections between said transmissions, said connections between said pumping means, and said connections between each of saidtransmissions and each of said pumping means, said valves being adapted for adjustment so that the fluid under pressure from one pumping means or both pumping means in parallel or both pumping means compounded operates any number of said transmissions simultaneously; and regulating means associated with said connections between said drum transboth of said gearpumps for driving a ro-.

tary table; two fluid operated drum transmissions, each of which is connected to both of said gear pumps, and to each other and to said rotary transmissions; two fluid operated line shaft transmissions connected to both of said gear pumps, to each other, and to both of said drum-transmission for driving a line shaft; valve means interposed in the said connections between said gear pumps and said connections between said gear pumps and said transmissions adapted for manipulation for the passage of fluid under pressure from either one of said gear pumps, or both of said gear pumps in parallel or compounded; a second valve means interposed in the said connections between said gear pumps and said transmissions and in the said connections between the said transmissions adapted for manipulation for the passage of fluid under pressure to any combination of said transmissions simultaneously; and an automatic regulating valve for automatically increasing the passage of fluid under pressure to said drum transmissions in proportion to the increase in the resistance to rotation of said rotary table.

13. In a hydraulic driving apparatus for wells, the combination of: two 'gear pumps for providing fluid under pressure; a connection between said gear pumps; a fluid operated rotary table transmission connected to both of said gear pumps for driving a rotary table; two fluid operated drum trans missions, each of which is connected to both ofisaid gear pumps, and to each other and to said rotary transmissions; two-fluid operated line shaft transmissions connected to both of said gear pumps, to each other, and to both of said drum transmissions for driving a line shaft; valve operative means interposed in the said connections between said gear pumps and said connections between said 7 gear pumps and said transmissions adapted for manipulation for the passage of fluid under pressure from either one of said gear pumps, or both of said gear pumps in parallel or compounded; a second valve operative means interposed in the said connections between said gear pumps and said transmissions and in the said connections between the said transmissions adapted for manipulation for the passage of fluid under pressure to any combination of said transmissions simultaneously; and an automatic regulating valve for automatically increas-.

ing the passage of fluid under pressure to said drum transmissions in proportion to the increase in the resistance to rotation of said rotary table.

14. In a hydraulic driving apparatus for wells, the combination of: two gear pumps for providing fluid under pressure; a connection between said gear pumps; a fluid operated rotary table transmission connected to both of said gear pumps for driving a rotary table; two fluid operated drum transmissions each of which is connected to both of said gear pumps, and to each other and to said rotary transmissions; two fluid operated line shaft transmissions connected to both of said gear pumps. to each other, and to both of said drum transmissions for driving a line shaft; valve means interposed in the said connections between said gear pumps and said connections between said gear pumps and said transmissions adapted for manipulation for the passage offluid under pressure from either one of said gear pumps, or both of said gear pumps inparallel or compounded; a second valve means interposed in the said connections between said gear pumps and said transmissions and in the said connections between the said transmissions adapted for manipulation for the wells, the combination of: two gear pumps for providing fluid under pressure; a connection between said gear pumps; a fluid operated rotary table transmission connected to both of said gear pumps for driving a rotary table two fluid operated drum transmissions, each of which is connected to both of said gear pumps, and to each other and to said rotary transmissions; two fluid operated line shaft transmissions t zonnected to both of said gear pumps, to each other, and to both, of said drum transmissions for driving a line shaft; valve operative means interposed in the said connections between said gear pumps and said connections between said gear pumps and said transmissions adapted for manipulation for the passage of fluid under pressure from either one of said gear pumps, or both of said gear pumps in parallel or compounded; a second valve operative means interposed in the said connections between said gear pumps and said transmissions and in the said connections between the said transmissions adapted for manipulation for the passage of fluid under pressure to any combination of said transmissions simultaneously; and automatic valve regulating means for automatically in creasing the passage of fluid under pressure to saicl drum transmissions in proportion to the increase in the resistance to rotation of said rotary table.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand'at Los Angeles, Ca1ifornia .-this 3rd day of May, 1930.

VALTER C. BAILEY. 

